Opposition to Sydney expressways
By Marina Cameron
SYDNEY — Questions have been raised over the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority's plan to build a city-wide "orbital road network".
Randwick Green Party councillor Murray Matson said on January 16 that the environmental impact statement for a new section of the system, the Eastern Distributor, has failed to identify the "cumulative impact" of the planned network.
At the core of the criticism is evidence that the extra capacity offered by new road systems increases congestion rather than alleviating it, as car users are attracted onto the roads. This is known as "induced traffic".
Matson also points to a recent study by the Health and Air Research Program that found a "well-expected link between air pollution and ill health" and concludes that "the RTA's freeway building policy, if continued for the next 25 years, would result in a 600% increase in congestion and a 36% decline in air quality".
Matson is calling on other councils, councillors and politicians to oppose the orbital network. A decision on the Eastern Distributor is likely to be made in April, with work due to begin in July.
Other sections of the network include the M5 East extension, and a section expected to be begun this year linking the Gore Hill Freeway and the M2. The latter proposal includes the widening of an existing road and has met with strong opposition from local residents.
For more information, contact Murray Matson at Randwick Council on (02) 9665 9095.